What is REDD?

REDD+ is a forest carbon initiative aimed at addressing and mitigating global climate change by reducing the levels of greenhouse gas emissions that enter our atmosphere. It stands for, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, including conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (+).

REDD+ is based on the transfer of financial incentives, but if well designed, implemented and enforced, REDD+ has the opportunity to generate extra benefits, such as enhanced governance, more secure (tenure) rights, improved environmental services, biodiversity conservation and income from REDD+ related activities. Ultimately, REDD+ can offer forest dependent communities an opportunity to gain financial and other benefits through conservation and sustainable management of their forests.

Tanzania is one of several countries preparing to participate in the REDD+ initiative. Thanks to financial and technical support from the government of Norway and UN-REDD, Tanzania has already developed a National REDD+ Strategy and there are several pilot projects currently being implemented by NGOs on the ground. MCDI leads one such project, Combining REDD, PFM and FSC Certification in South-Eastern Tanzania, receiving a grant of $1.95M to cover four years, from 2010 to 2013.